“Winter is also a great time to visit – less crowds, many indoor exhibits, and sometimes having the aquarium all to yourself!” Julie S., Family Fun in Omaha

“If you are local or nearby, get a season pass and don’t try to do the whole zoo in a day, especially if you have young children. Consider it a walk, take pictures, and go back frequently!” Jen S., Liv Laugh Love

“Fall is great to go with little ones. The other great times to go are either first thing when they open, or two to three hours before they close.” Kelly R. suggested on an Oh My! Omaha Facebook post

My tip: Members, never skip the member days in the summer. Members receive passes for free train rides that are good for more than a month. Hold on to those passes (the train will be crowded that day) and use them on your next visit.

What to bring to the zoo

“If you plan to spend the entire day there, bring a wagon or stroller (or rent one when you get there if you don’t have one). You can easily bring a cooler filled with ice and beverages, sack lunch, snacks, plus anything else you might want need (especially if you need to bring towels or a change of clothes for the splash park) and carry it along effortlessly in the wagon. Elevators and extra space outdoors makes it easy to move levels and store when you are going through buildings.” Mary J., Living a Sunshine Life

“Be sure to pack some wet wipes to wipe everyone off with if they pet the animals or just put their hands where everyone else has been.” Bolton C., Bolton Carley’s BS-O-Rama

“Take your own bread to feed the fish and ducks…and take your own water bottle.” Bolton C., Bolton Carley’s BS-O-RamaEditor’s note: It’s been pointed out that bread can harm fish and ducks, so it’s better to brings some coins for the fish food machine and feed them the approved food.

My tip: Bring comfy shoes and hats for everyone in the summer. They make great hats with SPF protection, like this toddler one with a chin strap.

What to do at the zoo

“We take a look at the IMAX schedule before we head to the zoo…that way we can plan according to see shows we haven’t seen before.” Kitty Boone, Kitty and Kevin

“Be sure to get a map. There are things like the area where you can feed the birds that you don’t even know exist if you don’t consult the map.” Bolton Carley, Bolton Carley’s BS-O-Rama

“Review the map in advance and agree on what are the ‘must-see’ exhibits.” Kim Schenkelberg, It’s Really 10 Months

“Great places to cool off on the hot summer days are the aquarium, gorilla exhibit, Expedition Madagascar, Wild Kingdom Pavilion, Kingdoms of the Night, the IMAX Theater, and the new splash park!” Julie S., Family Fun in Omaha

“Get to the zoo early and head to the back exhibits. Everyone goes to the desert, jungle, and aquarium right away, and they get crowded quickly.” Jen Schneider, Liv Laugh Love

“If you have littles – consider riding the train, tram and skyfari- it is pricey but it helps give their little legs a rest if you are trying to do the entire zoo in one day.” Kim Schenkelberg, It’s Really 10 Months

“I buy train tickets early in the day, even if we aren’t going to ride it for awhile, as the lines at the ticket booth get long and slooow by afternoon. My kids have had the splash pad to themselves at 9 AM.” Jill H. shared on the Oh My! Omaha Facebook page

“We go to the right (towards the giraffes) as we start and then are able to use the elevator to get back to the top. Saves some whining from the kiddos when it comes to hiking up the hill.” Christine W. shared on the Oh My! Omaha Facebook page

My tip: The zoo has daily animal enrichment programs where you can see them being fed or receiving interacting with a trainer. Some are cooler than others. Surprisingly, the penguin feeding was kinda dull?

Children’s Adventure Trails

The Omaha zoo opened Children’s Adventure Trails in June 2017.

“Adventure Trails has complimentary SPF 30 sunscreen in the family bathroom. I love the changing tables and sink in the lobby of restroom building so you can change littles without having to wait for family room.” Amanda F. shared on the Oh My! Omaha Facebook discussion on the new exhibit

Asian Highlands

Asian Highlands is the zoo’s newest exhibit. Phase I opened in May 2018. Asian Highlands is opening in two phases, so with Phase I, you will encounter only a handful of animals that will be a part of the complete exhibit (which is slated to open in spring 2019).

My tips: There are no restrooms (yet) at Asian Highlands, so make a pit stop on your way before entering the exhibit. The exhibit, while it’s under construction, is an out-and-back pathway, so expect congestion unless you get there first thing in the morning.

Eat at the Omaha zoo

The Omaha zoo opened African Grasslands in May 2016.

“The new African Grasslands has a fantastic indoor dining area that is great for the really little kids. There are new highchairs, plenty of room (not many people know about it yet), a great family restroom and eventually views of the animals. Plus, the food is great!” Christi Leupold, Leupold Confidential

“Pack picnic lunches/dinners (you’d think we had kids…but no….we just like picnics!) and always bring water bottles.” Kitty Boone, Kitty and Kevin

My tip: My all-time favorite place to eat at the zoo is the Durham TreeTops Restaurant, where lucky families might snag a table along the wall of windows overlooking the indoor rainforest. My top outdoor pick is the Tusker Grill at the African Lodge, which also has the best food (it’s the same place as Christi mentioned, but I’ve only sat outside, can’t vouch for inside). As the construction winds down in the African Grasslands, it’s going to offer dining with a view too, but of elephants and zebras. I wrote a post about healthy zoo at the food – you can read it here.

Saving money at the zoo

“Get a season pass, when you break it down a household pass averages out to only $10/month (that’s easy to budget for next season). Considering you can catch a movie (Imax), view hundreds of animals, feed fish, play on their playground and now visit the new splash park, that’s a bargain for a whole lot of family fun!” Nicole McDonald, Mom Saves Money

“If you live in Omaha, check with your company – every place I’ve worked in Omaha over the last 14 years has offered a zoo membership discount.” Liz Perry, LPO Beauty

My tip: Members, don’t forget to show your membership card when making purchases at concessions, the gift shop, rides and admission to Stingray Beach – you can save 5%. That discount may go up to 30% off on Member Appreciation Days.

Special event tip

My tip: The zoo has several special events throughout the year, some are included with admission and some are extra. My family’s favorite is Holiday Happening on Saturdays at Christmas time when scuba divers wear holiday costumes as the clean in the shark tunnel tank. That event is included with admission and you can expect a crowd. The zoo’s Spooktacular is after-hours and a different price than admission (members do have to pay to go). It’s another fun one my family really enjoyed and for some reason, it wasn’t nearly as crowded as I’d expect.

More smart Omaha zoo tips

“Take 10th Street in to get to the North Entrance instead of waiting in line at the interstate exit for 20 minutes (or longer).” Shared by Megan S. on Twitter. This is my go-to strategy, too.

Planning a trip to Omaha?

If you’re planning a visit to Omaha – welcome! Want some hotel suggestions? There are a few hotels within about a mile of the zoo. The closes hotel is Comfort Inn at the Zoo.

I’d recommend staying closer to the downtown area, especially the Old Market area. It’s my favorite place in the entire city. Here are a couple hotels:

You shouldn’t feed bread to the ducks/waterfowl or the fish. Bread doesn’t have the nutritional value that waterfowl need and can actually make them very sick. It’s also very filling for the fish and can mess with their digestive systems. The zoo provides animal food for purchase, either use what they provide or don’t feed the animals.

Great article. I definitely agree with the start at the back and work your way forward and then up the elevator or ride the tram. Also, the zoo offers a spend the night at the zoo. It is pretty pricey but amazing. I suggest staying in the aquarium, not in the gorilla house. You get a private tour of a lot of exhibits and some really neat encounters with animals.

If you have the option of going on a different day, do it (or go first thing and leave before noon). The zoo takes measures to cool people off, like having misters and there is the big splash park, but it’s still going to be crowded and most of the paths won’t be shaded. If memory serves me correctly, most outdoor animals are less active or napping during the heat of the day.

Nebraska weather can be fairly unpredictable in March, but it will likely be on the cooler side. You’re timing may coincide with some schools’ spring break, but I’d say even then, it won’t be very busy especially since you’re going on a weekday.

When we have been in March it has been not busy at all, and pretty cool out, so I’d plan on a coat for walking between buildings. So many of the exhibits are indoors though, when you want to warm up head to the rainforest or desert or Madagascar or the grasslands cafe area (or any of the other indoor exhibits!)

Hi there, I’m Kim

I'm a mom, wife, writer & coffee addict. I love my hometown, Omaha, but cannot resist the thrill of travel. Life is best spent discovering the extraordinary at home and on the road. With any luck, I'll inspire you to think the same. Inquiries at ohmyomaha@gmail.com

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